July 26, Colombo: Opposition Leader of Sri Lanka Ranil Wickremasinghe questioned the government about the investigations regarding the threats to the life of Upul Jayasuriya, the president of Bar Association of Sri Lanka (BASL).

Delivering a special statement under standing orders in parliament, the Opposition Leader pointed out that the security had not been provided to the BASL President despite a request from him.

Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne replied that the Commissioner of Motor Traffic had informed that the numbers of vehicle license plates given to police have not been issued by the Department of Motor Traffic.

The Commissioner of Motor Traffic had informed parliament that his Department had not issued plate number containing number '13'.

Mr. Jayasuriya lodged a complaint at the Cinnamon Gardens police station last week stating that an unidentified group on a three wheeler and a motor bicycle had followed him for hours. He had given the plate numbers of the three wheeler and the motor bicycle to the police.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that the three wheeler carrying the number 207 - 5314 had not matched with the Commissioner's argument and said that 13 was considered evil only by Christians. Rejecting the Motor Traffic Commissioner's argument, the Opposition Leader stated that there were many such numbers. He further demanded the Commissioner to clarify the policy of issuing numbers.

Deputy Speaker Chandima Weerakkody said that the Speaker would focus his attention on inquiring whether the Motor Traffic Commissioner had misled the public by the information he had provided to the parliament.

The Opposition Leader pointed out that the police had failed to find any information regarding the followers who had come after the BASL President despite the information provided regarding them.